§ 26. Mr. Marksasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will direct those local education authorities whose expenditure on books and equipment is below that recommended by the Association of Education Committees to make more adequate provision.
§ Mrs. ThatcherNo, Sir. I have always made clear my concern that adequate provision should be made; but this is a matter for local education authorities.
§ Mr. MarksIs there not a very grave disparity between what various authorities spend on books and equipment, the sums being spent by some authorities being abysmally low? At what stage does the right hon. Lady carry out the duties imposed on her by the 1944 Act and tell local authorities that they are not doing well enough?
§ Mrs. ThatcherHer Majesty's Inspector regularly visits schools, and I am sure he would let me know if there were any cause for alarm in any school.